Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Audi A5 Sportback

The Passat has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Passat has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A5 Sportback.

Both the Passat and the A5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Audi A5 Sportback:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Audi A5 Sportback:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Passat for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A5 Sportback.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Passat’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Passat has a 140-amp alternator. The A5 Sportback’s standard 110-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Passat has a standard 480-amp battery. The A5 Sportback’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 30th in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better fuel mileage than the A5 Sportback 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid (24 city/36 hwy vs. 24 city/31 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Passat uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A5 Sportback requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Passat has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 Sportback (18.5 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Passat higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi A5 Sportback (5). This means the Passat produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A5 Sportback every 15,000 miles.

The Passat has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the A5 Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the A5 Sportback’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Volkswagen Passat may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 pounds less than the Audi A5 Sportback.

The Passat has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A5 Sportback (101 vs. 91).

The Passat has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the A5 Sportback.

The Passat has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Passat R-Line/Limited has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Passat R-Line/Limited also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Passat, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Audi A5/S5 by 21% during the 2021 model year.